Bowen Island is adding another festive occasion to its calendar. National Indigenous People’s Day, first celebrated in 1996 as National Aboriginal Day, is an opportunity to witness and celebrate the culture and heritage of First Nations, Inuit and Metis.
The local event, which includes storytelling, drumming, dancing and refreshments, begins at 7 p.m. Thursday June 21 at Cove Commons.
The celebration is part of Knowing Our Place, a reconciliation initiative, which I conceive and now lead. It’s coordinated by the Bowen Island Arts Council and the public library, and counts Bowen Island Municipality and Literacy Task Group among its partners.
Everyone is invited to gather on the evening of the longest day of the year and welcome Squamish Nation storyteller, Rebecca Duncan, whose ancestral name is Tsitsayxemaat. In her engaging style she retells the ancient stories of the Squamish Nation with a dramatic flair, making them relevant to a contemporary audience. Once you’ve heard Rebecca tell the uplifting story of Chichi’yuy, you will never look at those iconic mountain peaks (recently named the Lions) in the same way.
Simon James/Winadzi, a Kwakwa’wakw Nation artist and a Bowen resident, will also be sharing traditional stories with us.
Born in Alert Bay, he has been dancing, drumming and carving for more than 30 years. He is the co-creator of Raven Tales, an award-winning animated television show. Winadzi is a beloved storyteller on the island and he engages everyone with his stories.
During the research for my book, Whale in the Door, I read the Truth and Reconciliation Commission final report. I learned that, “Reconciliation is an ongoing process of establishing and maintaining respectful relationships.” I wanted to create events on the island that would do just that. The library and the arts council, eager to strengthen their Indigenous programming, came on board.
The first Knowing Our Place event was the Blanket Exercise, a workshop to experience the impacts of colonialism on our relationships. It was followed by Building Bridges Through Art, featuring Squamish Nation storytellers and artists. I also lead a popular book club to explore writing by Indigenous authors.
I look forward to seeing everyone at tonight’s family friendly event!
